Cover for pools



DEC. 5, 1967 JANNUZZI 3,355,745

COVER FOR POOLS Filed Oct. 25, 1965 Eiq- 6 :1; M

INVENTOR. FRANK JAN/V (122/ A rroQ/vevs United States Patent 3,355,745 COVER FOR POOLS Frank Jannuzzi, 239 Maple Ave., North Plainfield, NJ. 07060 Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,125 Claims. (Cl. 4--172) This invention relates to a cover for swimming pools and refers more particularly to a wintering installation which will protect swimming pools from snow and ice.

It is a matter of common knowledge that the care of pools during autumn and Winter months presents serious problems. Many pools have to be dismounted every winter and erected again every spring. This constant folding and storing, as well as damage caused by rodents and abrasions, shortens the life of the pool liner. The cost of maintenance is quite high, particularly due to the necessity of removing ice, snow and litter from the pool.

An object of the present invention is to provide pool covering means Which will be self-cleaning and which will effectively protect a pool during the Winter months.

Another object is to reduce pool maintenance costs as Well as the necessity of dismantling and erecting a pool during the various seasons.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the accomplishment of the objectives of the present invention is found desirable to provide a cover which overlaps the pool and is connected to an adjustable cable extending around the pool; a cover support floating inside the pool is kept constantly moving by air currents, thus shedding ice, snow and litter from the top of the cover.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing showing by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a pool provided with a protective covering of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top view.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section.

The pool shown in the drawing is of the type having a bottom enclosed by a liner 11 supported by circularly arranged posts 12.

Obviously, the present invention is applicable to pools of any other construction.

In accordance with the present invention the pool is covered by a cover 13 consisting of a rot-proof, chlorine proof fabric or other suitable piece of material. The cover 13 extends over the edges of the pool. The edges of the cover 13 are attached by clips and grommets 14 to a vinyl covered cable 15 which extends around the pool. The opposed ends of the cable 15 are joined by a suitable tension adjustment mechanism 16 of known type.

A cover support 17 floats upon the water 18 of the pool and engages from the inside the cover 13. The support 17 may have the shape of a large round bag filled with air.

Obviously, bags of other types and shapes may be used. It is important, however, that the bag be sufliciently large to serve as an effective cover support.

In use, when time arrives for the closing of the pool for Winter, the user places the air-filled cover support 17 upon the surface of water 18 filling the pool, connects the cover 13 with the cable 15 by clips and grommets 14 and places the cover 13 over the pool While arranging the cable 15 around the pool. The ends of the cable 15 are firmly joined and the cable is held taut by the tension adjustment mechanism 16.

Then the pool may be left unattended during the entire Winter. Air currents will move the floating support 17 in different directions, so that ice, snow, falling leaves and other litter will slide off the cover 13. Any substantial accumulation on top of the cover 13 is effectively prevented, while the interior of the pool remains clean and ready for immediate use.

It is apparent that the example described above has been given solely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that it is subject to many variations and modifications within the scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are to be included Within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A protective installation, comprising, in combination, a cover adapted to cover a pool, a cable adapted to enclose said pool, means connecting the edges of said cover to said cable, means interconnecting opposite ends of said cable, and a floating support for engaging an inner surface of said cover and adapted to be moved in different directions by air currents acting on the outer surface of said cover, whereby any substantial accumulation on top of said cover is effectively prevented.

2. An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cover consists of a rot-proof, chlorine-proof piece of fabric.

3. An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cable is coated with vinyl.

4. An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first-mentioned means consists of grommets and clips.

5. An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second-mentioned means consists of a tension adjustment mechanism.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,867,346 1/1959 Champagnat 4172 2,867,347 1/1959 Champagnat 4-172 3,008,148 11/ 1961 Vierling 4-172 3,072,920 1/ 1963 Yelliot 4-172 SAMUEL ROTHBERG, Primary Examiner. H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PROTECTIVE INSTALLATION, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A COVER ADAPTED TO COVER A POOL, A CABLE ADAPTED TO ENCLOSE SAID POOL, MEANS CONNECTING THE EDGES OF SAID COVER TO SAID CABLE, MEANS INTERCONNECTING OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID CABLE, AND A FLOATING SUPPORT FOR ENGAGING AN INNER SURFACE OF SAID COVER AND ADAPTED TO BE MOVED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS BY AIR CURRENTS ACTING ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID COVE, WHEREBY ANY SUBSTANTIAL ACCUMULATION ON TOP OF SAID COVER IS EFFECTIVELY PREVENTED. 